EMT/Paramedic Salary in 2026
EMTs and paramedics provide emergency medical care to injured or ill patients, performing assessments, administering treatments, and transporting patients to medical facilities.
Median Salary
$38,000
$3,167/mo
Entry Level
$28,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$51,000
experienced
Job Growth
+7%
10-yr outlook
EMT/Paramedic Overview
EMTs and paramedics provide emergency medical care to injured or ill patients, performing assessments, administering treatments, and transporting patients to medical facilities.
Education
Certificate/Associate's
Experience
EMT training
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
270K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$18.27/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,167
EMT/Paramedic Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated EMT/Paramedic salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated EMT/Paramedic Salary
$43,000
$3,583/month · $1,654/biweekly · $20.67/hr
EMT/Paramedic Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the EMT/Paramedic field.
Entry-level EMT/Paramedics earn around $28,000, while the top 10% earn $58,000 or more.
Top Paying States for EMT/Paramedics
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $45,000 | +$7,000 |
| New York | $44,000 | +$6,000 |
| Texas | $37,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $37,000 | $-1,000 |
| Ohio | $36,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for EMT/Paramedics
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $45,000 | +$7,000 |
| Los Angeles | $43,000 | +$5,000 |
| Miami | $39,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $38,000 | $0 |
| Columbus | $36,000 | $-2,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
EMT/Paramedic Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a EMT/Paramedic from entry level to expert.
$28,000
0-2 years
$40,000
3-7 years
$51,000
8-14 years
$65,000
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
EMT/Paramedic Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — EMT/Paramedic Salary
How we calculate EMT/Paramedic salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $38,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to EMT/Paramedic in the Healthcare sector.
- Entry-level ($28,000) and senior-level ($51,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +7% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 270K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Healthcare sector wages.
- Education requirement: Certificate/Associate's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $38,000.
Authoritative US data sources for EMT/Paramedic compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — EMT/Paramedic job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: EMT/Paramedic salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Emergency Medical Care, CPR/AED, IV Therapy), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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